Optically Transparent Floating Dock

ABSTRACT

The transparent floating dock acts as a diving mask, allowing for those using the dock to view fish and aquatic life below. 
     The floating dock includes a floating section comprised of a bottom, top, and one or more sides. The bottom and top are constructed of a material that is transparent to visible light. Such a material may be polycarbonate, glass, or other clear material. 
     When in use the bottom of the floating section is in contact with water, allowing those above to see through the floating section and into the water.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of boat docks, and more particularly to a fully or partially transparent dock for use over water.

BACKGROUND

The use of floating docks is a part of life for those who live near, or visit, the water. Floating docks are essential to reaching boats docked over water, as well as swim platforms and so forth.

But standard floating docks create a visual separation between the user and the water. What is needed is a floating dock system that allows users to see through the dock, down into the water below.

SUMMARY

The transparent floating dock acts as a diving mask, allowing for those using the dock to view fish and aquatic life below.

The benefits are numerous: fisherman can watch fish activity; maintenance personnel can review the condition of pilings, hardware, piping, and other equipment beneath the surface of the water; children can watch how aquatic life interacts; and boat owners can see the condition of their hull.

Viewing objects beneath the surface of the water is often difficult due to surface reflections. Gazing at the surface of the water will often show little more than a glare. Fishermen commonly encounter this glare, preventing them from seeing fish below the surface of the water.

Additional difficulty is caused by surface effects. Light passing from the less dense medium of air, and into the denser medium of water, is subject to both refraction and reflection. The shape of the surface of the water affects the light reflected off the surface, as well as how the light refracts as it enters the water, and how the light returns after reflecting off objects within the water.

As a result, it is easier to see into smooth water as compared to water with a rough surface.

Furthermore, the quantity of light reflected depends on the angle of incidence between the light ray and the water. This changes by season, as well as over the course of a day.

The transparent floating dock addresses these issues by creating a new surface, specifically the bottom of the dock, that is free from glare and surface effects. The bottom surface of the transparent floating dock is in direct contact with the water, avoiding any surface effects due to wind, waves, and so forth.

While refraction still occurs, as it will any time light moves between mediums of different densities, the transition is smooth. Water to glass to air, without any of the mediums being in motion. The result is a clear path for the light, and thus a clear view through to the water below.

The floating dock includes two preferred embodiments, although other embodiments are anticipated. The first embodiment includes a floating section comprised of a bottom, top, and one or more sides. The bottom and top are constructed of a material that is transparent to visible light. Such a material may be polycarbonate, glass, or other clear material.

When in use the bottom of the floating section is in contact with water, allowing those above to see through the floating section and into the water.

The sides of the first embodiment may be a transparent material, causing the dock to nearly disappear into the water.

But such a construction may be disconcerting, and difficult for those on the dock to navigate without stepping into the water. Thus, it may be preferable to construct the sides of a non-transparent material, thus allowing the user to see the floating section and avoid stepping into the water.

In certain instances the top, or upper surface, may become scratched due to foot traffic. Or the owner of the dock may wish that the top is only uncovered for periods of time when visitors are using the dock, and to cover the top during use by workman to minimize damage.

Thus, optional protective decking may be placed over the top, acting to prevent damage to the top from foot traffic.

Furthermore, the transparent dock may include mooring rails. Such mooring rails may include tie-off locations, as well as being constructed of a material that avoids damage to docked boats.

In a second embodiment, the floating dock is deployed in one or more sections which support an upper dock. The floating dock, acting as a lower section, includes at least a transparent top and bottom, with sides that are either transparent or opaque.

An upper section is affixed to one or more lower sections, the upper section including optional protective covers and optional optically transparent top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a first embodiment of the transparent dock module.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the transparent dock module.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the transparent dock module.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of multiple transparent dock modules joined together to form a larger dock.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of the transparent dock module.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of a second embodiment of the transparent dock module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a first embodiment of the transparent dock module is shown. The transparent dock module 1 includes a transparent top 10. As part of the top 10 are one or more optional hinged covers 24 that allow for access to the internal portion of the transparent dock module 1 for cleaning. Additionally or alternatively are one or more finger lift locations 26 that ease the process of lifting the top 10 from the transparent dock module for maintenance.

Given that the transparent dock module 1 includes a transparent top 10, damage to the top 10 may be more readily apparent as compared to standard, opaque docks. Depending upon the material used for the top 10, scratches due to boots, rocks, debris, and so forth may impede the transfer of light from the water below. Thus, making the top 10 simple to replace may be important to the continuing operation of the dock.

An optional mooring rail 16 is present around the perimeter of the transparent dock module 1. The mooring rail 16 is preferably made of a soft material, allowing boats to rub without causing damage to their finish.

Optionally included within the transparent dock module 1 is an internal structure 34. The internal structure 34 acts to stiffen the transparent dock module 1. The internal structure 34 can be transparent, minimizing its effect on the transmission of light from the water below.

Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of a first embodiment of the transparent dock module is shown.

The top 10 is again shown, with corresponding bottom 12. In the preferred embodiment both the top 10 and bottom 12 are transparent.

Also shown are sides 14. The sides 14 can be transparent to provide an even greater view of the body of water. Or the sides 14 may be opaque. This may be valuable for two reasons: First, the use of opaque materials may lower cost or increase durability as compared to transparent materials. Second, an entirely transparent floating dock may be uncomfortable for users. Constructing the sides 14 of the transparent dock module 1 of an opaque material may make it easier for users to see the boundaries of the transparent dock module 1, and thus feel more comfortable walking out onto the water.

As an illustration, an eye 44 is shown with a clear line of sight 46 passing through the top 10 and bottom 12 to the body of water 50 below.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the transparent dock module is shown.

The transparent dock is shown with the top 10, bottom 12, and sides 14 forming an air-filled chamber 20. The top/bottom/sides 10/12/14 are shown creating an optional filled internal chamber 22. The internal chamber 22 may be filled with any transparent material, such as a gel. Or the internal chamber 22 may be an additional air-filled space. Creating this separate space may reduce the chances of the transparent dock module 1 losing buoyancy.

Referring to FIG. 4, a view of multiple transparent dock modules joined together to form a larger dock is shown.

A dock assembly 62 is shown formed of many transparent dock modules 1. The spaces between the transparent dock modules 1 can create boat slips 60. The transparent dock modules 1 are affixed to each other using attachment points 28 (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 5, a side view of a second embodiment of the transparent dock module is shown.

The second embodiment of the transparent dock module 1 includes optional corrugated sides 30 to increase stiffness. In this embodiment the top 10 of the transparent dock module is below the walking surface. The walking surface includes removable protective decking 32 with an optically transparent top 40. Finger lift locations 26 allow the removable protective decking 32 to be easily lifted off, allowing users above to see through the optically transparent top 40, and then through the top 10 and bottom 12, to the body of water 50 below.

In this embodiment the top/bottom/sides 10/12/14 are optionally molded as a single unit from a transparent material. The mooring rail 16 optionally acts as a structural component, joining one or more transparent dock modules 1 to each other, and also supporting the protective decking 32 and optically transparent top 40.

Referring to FIG. 6, an isometric view of a second embodiment of the transparent dock module is shown.

The finger lift locations 26 and attachment point 28 are shown.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting weight over water, the apparatus allowing light to pass through, the apparatus comprising: a. a floating section; i. the floating section including:
 1. a bottom;
 2. a top; and
 3. one or more sides; ii. the bottom and top constructed of a material that is transparent to visible light; b. whereby when the bottom of the floating section is in contact with water, a user can see through the floating section, into the water.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sides are constructed of a non-transparent material, thus allowing the user to see the floating section and avoid stepping into the water.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sides are constructed of a transparent material, thus making the floating section nearly invisible, allowing the user to feel as though he is walking on the water.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a. removable protective decking for placement over the top; i. the removable protective decking providing an optional protective layer over the top to prevent damage to the top from foot traffic.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a. one or more hinged covers that provide access to the floating section, and allow the user to see directly through the bottom.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a. one or more attachment points b. the one or more attachment points to fix the floating section to additional floating sections, creating a dock assembly.
 7. A device that allows for enjoyment of aquatic life, the device for use on a body of water, the device comprising: a. a floating dock; i. the floating dock having a lower section that, when in use, contacts the body of water; b. the lower section constructed of: i. an optically transparent material; c. whereby aquatic life is visible through the floating dock.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising: a. an upper section; i. the upper section including removable protective decking; b. mooring rails; i. the mooring rails preventing contact between boats and the lower section; and ii. the mooring rails supporting the upper section; c. whereby the removable protective decking can be lifted away to allow a user to directly view the body of water beneath through the lower section.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: a. an optically transparent top i. the optically transparent top located below the removable protective decking and above the lower section; ii. the optically transparent top being separate from the lower section.
 10. The device of claim 7, wherein the lower section includes portions of non-transparent material, thereby allowing users to visually locate the bounds of the lower section during use.
 11. A dock for use on a body of water that allows a user to see beneath the dock, the dock comprising: a. a top and a bottom; i. the top and the bottom separated by an airspace; ii. the airspace maintained by one or more sides that prevent the top and bottom from touching; b. whereby when the dock is placed on the water, the bottom touches the water, and the user can see through the dock much as he would look through a swim mask.
 12. The dock of claim 11, further comprising: a. a removable upper protective decking to cover the top and minimize damage.
 13. The dock of claim 12, wherein the removable upper protective decking includes one or more finger lift locations for use removing the removable upper protective decking.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more sides are constructed of a non-transparent material, thus allowing the user to see the floating section and avoid stepping into the water.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the one or more sides are constructed of a transparent material, thus making the floating section nearly invisible, allowing the user to feel as though he is walking on the water. 